10 Steps You Can Take To Support #TeamRefugees In The Olympics | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

10 Steps You Can Take To Support #TeamRefugees In The Olympics

This time around, more than ever, the Olympics get political.

15
10 Steps You Can Take To Support #TeamRefugees In The Olympics

The 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro have officially started, so it is time to show how much you love your country by rooting for your team in style:

However, what if you were forced to flee your country and have no place to call home? For the first time in Olympic history, a group of 10 refugee athletes are competing on one team: Refugee Olympic Athletes Team, or, Team Refugees. By competing, these athletes are showing the world that refugees are still human beings and still need representation in international affairs. This team is gaining attention all over the world and will no doubt create important political discussions about helping refugees in the future.

For now, I personally will take a page out of Mia Farrow’s book and will do everything I can to support #TeamRefugee:

What can you do to help support refugees not only in the Olympics but in refugee camps around the world?

1. Educate yourself.

Watch the video above to educate yourself on the refugee crises happening around the world and other videos from the UN Refugee Agency to learn about the journeys the ten refugee athletes took to become Olympians.

2. Find your method of watching Team Refugees compete.

The ten athletes will compete in one of the following: judo, swimming, or track and field. You can watch these events on NBC network channels or on the NBC sports app if you have a cable subscription. The app also allows you to play events on your TV through Chromecast or Apple TV and to set up alerts on your phone to let you know when those events are live.

3. Get (or make!) Team Refugees t-shirts.

Visit the Team Refugees partner toolkit to find out how to get some supportive hats and shirts. You can also host a shirt-making party. Better yet, host a shirt-making, Olympics-watching party!

4. Get their flag.

Team Refugees will compete under the Olympic flag this year. There are affordable Olympic flags you can buy online. Afterward, embroider or write Refugee Olympic Athletes Team or Team Refugees on the flag below the rings.

5. Use this sign to show your support for the refugee team:

6. Follow Team Refugees on social media.

Team Refugees has an official Twitter, Snapchat, Facebook, and Instagram. Share their posts publicly to spread the word about the various refugee crises in the world. Tweet to world leaders and politicians about the crises and ask them to help. Take pictures and video of your party and send them to @TeamRefugees.

7. Sign the refugee petition.

Team Refugee’s social media accounts have a link to a petition that will go to the UN headquarters in New York. The petition asks world leaders to “ensure every refugee child gets an education…every refugee family has somewhere safe to live…every refugee can work or learn new skills to make a positive contribution to their community.

8. Make a donation to help refugee assistance efforts.

The United Nations Refugee Agency, Save the Children, Doctors Without Borders, and UNICEF all have options on their websites for you to donate money to help support refugees. Don't have any money? Turn that Olympic shirt-making party into a fundraiser! Ask your friends to pool together some spare change and donate it. Use the party as a planning session for another refugee fundraiser in the future.

9. Reach out to refugees in your own community and offer support.

I currently teach Somali refugee women how to swim at my local community pool, and I have also worked at schools with large refugee populations. This year, I will take time to make sure that refugees and others in my community know about Team Refugees and their accomplishments at the Olympics and as human rights advocates.

10. Educate children in your life and community about refugees and how they can help.

They may not understand all of it (I certainly do not), but they will be able to develop compassion for the children their age around the world who have similar dreams and goals as them, but ended up in much less fortunate circumstances. Teaching the next generation about the importance of helping refugees will help create an environment conducive to better support for refugees in the future.
Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Taylor Swift in orange dress playing a moss-covered piano on stage with bright lights.

A three-and-a-half-hour runtime. Nine Eras. Eleven outfit changes. Three surprise songs. Zero breaks. One unforgettable evening. In the past century, no other performer has put on an electric performance quite like Taylor Swift, surpassing her fans ‘wildest dreams’. It is the reason supporters keep coming back to her shows each year. Days later, I’m still in awe of the spectacle ‘Miss Americana’ puts on every few days in a new city. And, like one of Taylor’s exes, has me smiling as I reminisce about the memories of the night we spent together.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

A Few Thoughts Every College Freshman Has

The transition into adulthood is never easy

25757
Mays Island
Courtney Jones

Today I started my third week of college at Minnesota State Moorhead. I have survived welcome week, finding my classes on the first day, and being an awkward loner in the dining hall. Even though I have yet to be here for a month, I have already experienced many thoughts and problems that only a new college student can relate to.

Keep Reading...Show less
Students walking on a sunny college campus with trees and buildings.

"Make sure to get involved when you're in college!"

We've all heard some variation of this phrase, whether it came from parents, other family members, friends, RAs, or college-related articles. And, like many clichés, it's true for the most part. Getting involved during your college years can help you make friends, build your resume, and feel connected to your campus. However, these commitments can get stressful if you're dealing with personal issues, need to work, or aren't sure how to balance classes and everything else going on during the semester.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

9 Reasons Why Friends Are Essential In College

College without friends is like peanut butter without jelly.

10784
Bridgaline Liberati and friends
Bridgaline Liberati

In college, one of the essential things to have is friends. Yes, textbooks, a laptop, and other school supplies are important but friends are essential. Friends are that support system everybody needs. The more friends you have the better the support system you have. But you also have someone to share experiences with. And don’t settle for just one or two friends because 8 out of 10 times they are busy and you are studying all alone. Or they have other friend groups that do not include you. Don’t settle for just one or two friends; make as many friends as you can. After the first couple of weeks of college, most friend groups are set and you may be without friends.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Power of Dressing Up

Why it pays to leave the hoodie at home.

7953
sneakers and heels
Sister | Brother Style - Word Press

For a moment your world is spinning. The phone alarm has just scared you awake and you’re flooded by daunting thoughts of the day ahead. You have three assignments due and little time to work on them because of your job. You’re running late because you’ve hit snooze one to many times after yesterday’s long hours. You dizzily reach for a hoodie, craving its comfort, and rush for a speedy exit, praying you will have time to pick up coffee. Does this sound familiar?

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments